Alan Reynolds says his Bohemians side need to continue to ask questions in the final third if they are to build on last week’s 3-0 win away to Waterford when they travel to face St Patrick’s Athletic in Richmond Park.
Bohs went into last week’s game at the RSC against the then top-of-the-table Waterford looking to reverse a run of three narrow defeats on the spin.
Given that form, there was perhaps a feeling of ‘any win will do’ so fans were pleasantly surprised to see Bohs march into a 3-0 lead in the first half, thanks to a hat-trick for Kilkenny man Colm Whelan in only his second start for the club.
While two of Whelan’s treble came from the penalty spot, there was no denying that the performance was a complete reversal on how Bohs played four days previously when they failed to lay a glove on Drogheda in a 1-0 defeat at Dalymount Park.
Now Reynolds hopes it is a sign of progression and of things to come, and said: “We went into the game after three defeats, so obviously I was pleased with the resolve and character of the players to put on the display that they did away from home against a team who had won three of their opening four games and who had their tails up.
“There’s no denying that it was a completely different performance to how we played against Drogheda. As well as the character we showed, the most pleasing thing about it was our attacking play.
“For all the time on the ball that we had against Drogheda, we didn’t ask enough questions of them, but we asked plenty of Waterford.
“We have attacking players at this club and that is what we expect of them. We need to take more risks when we are in attacking positions in the final third; take shots, get balls into the box and ask real questions of opposition defenders and goalkeepers. That’s what we did in Waterford, and we got the result the players deserved.
“We looked more organised than we had done in the previous games, and the players had a much greater understanding of one another. The challenge for us now is to maintain and sustain that, and get better still.
“We are working extremely hard – the work ethic of the group is excellent – but that needs to continue to translate to performances on the pitch.”
Reynolds couldn’t hide his delight for Whelan, a player he previously worked with at Waterford, Derry City and the Ireland U21s, grabbing the headlines against his former club.
The 24-year-old has suffered an injury-plagued couple of years but Reynolds is backing his man to make a real impact this season.
Reynolds said: “For me, going in the closed season, of all the players we targeted, Colly was the one above all that I really wanted to bring to the club because I know how good he can be.
“He is a terrific talent, a proper goalscorer and I was delighted to bring him to the club as I know if he finally gets a break, he can be a fabulous player for this club.
“The hat-trick meant a lot to him, and after the couple of years he had, it was brilliant to hear the fans take to him the way they did and chant his name.
“It meant the world to him and he’s a popular guy too, so all the players were delighted for him as well. He has had a tough couple of years as everyone knows with the injury he has had, so I don’t want to put too much pressure on him but I know how much he wants to kick on now too.”
Tomorrow, Bohs face a St Pat’s side that were many people’s tip for league winners this term. Stephen Kenny’s side had started the season not too unlike Reynolds’ side, and sit one point ahead of them in the table in fifth place.
Reynolds added: “St Pat’s are a serious side with quality attacking players who go all-out and who can do damage, as well as having the most successful manager operating in the league in Stephen Kenny.
“Stephen always wants his sides to have a go, and that’s even more the case when they are playing at home so we know how tough a game this is going to be.
“But we have quality players ourselves, who can cause plenty of problems too. We have our homework done, and we are really looking forward to it.”
Team news
Rob Cornwall and Alex Lacey are ruled out, while Lys Mousset and Dayle Rooney are doubts.
